Obamacare by the numbers in Alabama

The Obama administration continues to make its case for the Affordable Care Act reforms. (FILE)

The Obama administration released a torrent of numbers today tailored to each of the 50 states as part of its ongoing, full-on promotion of the Affordable Care Act.

For it or against it, you won't be able to escape the onslaught of publicity as the next round of health reforms kicks in Jan. 1, 2014. Open enrollment in the online Health Insurance Marketplace (formerly known as the "Exchange") starts on Oct. 1.

Here's how the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services slices and dices the uninsured population in Alabama:

642,738 or 16% of the state's population are uninsured and eligible for the marketplace, which is designed to spur competition and lower insurance costs through side-by-side comparisons.

Of those uninsured in Alabama:

• 441,701 (69%) have a full-time worker in the family;

• 266,399 (41%) are 18-35 years old;

• 367,897 (57%) are white;

• 226,366 (35%) are African American;

• 32,405 (5%) are Latino/Hispanic;

• 4,194 (1%) are Asian American or Pacific Islander;

• 344,256 (54%) are male.

A sampling of other numbers put out there in a HHS news release and telephone conference call:

A total of 608,430 or 95 percent of Alabama's uninsured and eligible population may qualify for either tax credits to purchase coverage in the Marketplace or for Medicaid if Alabama takes advantage of the new opportunity to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. (So far, Gov. Robert Bentley has opposed participating in the federal Medicaid expansion plan, instead opting to develop a state approach to improving Medicaid.)

In 2011 and 2012, 71 million Americans with private health insurance gained preventive service coverage with no cost-sharing, including 1,084,000 in Alabama.

In Alabama, 15 community health centers operating 155 sites have received $56 million under the health care law to support ongoing operations, establish new sites, expand services and support capital improvements. The Alabama health centers provide care to 320,044 people.

More than 3 million young people who would otherwise have been uninsured have gained coverage nationwide, including 49,000 young adults in Alabama, because the age children can stay on a parent's policy has been raised from 21 to 26.

Alabamians with Medicare saved $99 million on prescription drugs because of reforms, including providing 50 percent discount on name brand drugs to people in the "donut hole."

If the numbers aren't enough, the administration has some visuals to tout the plan's benefits.